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The Isle of Íverin was an island in front of Leithian, in earlier versions of J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium.
History[]
The Isle of Íverin was located to the west of Leithian, and its king was Ír.[1]
In an early version of the legendarium, the island originated during the "First Faring Forth" of the Elves, in which the Elves traveled to the Great Lands on Tol Eressëa, which was dragged by Uin, whale servant of the Vala Ulmo. A magic bridge was cast between the island and the promontory of Rôs, in front of which it was anchored. However, the Vala Ossë was angered by the uprooting of the island he had placed next to Valinor long behorehand, and he tried to drag it back. This caused the western portion of Tol Eressëa to break off, forming a second, smaller island.[2] Thus, the bigger island was renamed Leithian, while the smaller one became the Isle of Íverin.
Background[]
The Isle of Íverin was conceived as a mythical representation of Ireland, and Ír was created as the ancestor of the Irish people. This accords with J.R.R. Tolkien's initial intent to build a proper British mythology. Thus, for the earlier versions of his myths, he drew largely from actual British history.
References[]
- ↑ "Sí Qente Feanor and Other Elvish Writings", Parma Eldalamberon, n. XV
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. II: The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, chapter VI: "The History of Eriol or Ælfwine and the End of the Tales"